Radical pair mechanism in magnetobiology: state of the art

V.N. Binhi^†
Federal Research & Clinic Center of Space Medicine and Biology of the Federal Biomedical Agency, Sushchevskii Val str. 24, Moscow, 127018, Russian Federation

We discuss the biological effects of weak magnetic fields, a problem that has gone unresolved for nearly half a century. We consider the spin—chemical mechanism of radical pairs, which is prevalent in the literature aiming to explain the observed phenomena. The effectiveness of this mechanism is limited by spin relaxation. The relaxation rate is estimated for a radical in a protein via the Zeeman, hyperfine, spin—orbit, and exchange interactions. Taking the relaxation and chemical kinetics into account, we present an analytic solution of the Liouville—von Neumann equation for two electrons and a nucleus, which relates the magnitude of the effects to the relaxation rate. Various aspects of the solution are discussed: the influence of the radiofrequency and hypomagnetic fields, the role of quantum entanglement, theoretical challenges and prospects, and others.

Correspondence should be addressed to
Keywords: magnetic biological effects, animal magnetic navigation, spin decoherence, spin relaxation, spin chemistry, radical pair mechanism, Liouville—von Neumann equation, open quantum system, chemical compass, hypomagnetic fields
PACS: 82.39.−k, 87.10.−e, 87.50.−a, 87.50.C− (all)
DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2025.09.040032
URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2025/12/f/
Web of Science

001649345300001
Scopus

2-s2.0-105032136344
ADS NASA

2025PhyU...68.1242B
Citation: Binhi V N "Radical pair mechanism in magnetobiology: state of the art" Phys. Usp. 68 1242–1267 (2025)

BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks

Received: 5th, October 2024, revised: 15th, September 2025, accepted: 17th, September 2025

Оригинал: Бинги В Н «Механизм радикальных пар в магнитобиологии: состояние дел» УФН 195 1312–1339 (2025); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2025.09.040032

References (231) Cited by (2) Similar articles (20) ↓

Ya.B. Zel’dovich, A.L. Buchachenko, E.L. Frankevich “Magnetic-spin effects in chemistry and molecular physics” Sov. Phys. Usp. 31 385–408 (1988)
V.N. Binhi, A.V. Savin “Effects of weak magnetic fields on biological systems: physical aspects” Phys. Usp. 46 259–291 (2003)
Yu.M. Romanovsky, A.N. Tikhonov “Molecular energy transducers of the living cell. Proton ATP synthase: a rotating molecular motor” Phys. Usp. 53 893–914 (2010)
V.V. Egorov, M.V. Alfimov “Theory of the J-band: from the Frenkel exciton to charge transfer” Phys. Usp. 50 985–1029 (2007)
R.B. Morgunov “Spin micromechanics in the physics of plasticity” Phys. Usp. 47 125–147 (2004)
A.G. Yakovlev, V.A. Shuvalov “Physical stage of photosynthesis charge separation” Phys. Usp. 59 531–557 (2016)
N.G. Ptitsyna, G. Villoresi et al “Natural and man-made low-frequency magnetic fields as a potential health hazard” Phys. Usp. 41 687–709 (1998)
V.L. Popov, A.E. Filippov, S.N. Gorb “Biological microstructures with high adhesion and friction. Numerical approach” Phys. Usp. 59 829–845 (2016)
P.N. Zakharov, V.K. Arzhanik et al “Microtubule: a dynamically unstable stochastic phase switching polymer” Phys. Usp. 59 773–786 (2016)
L.I. Krishtalik “Proteins as specific polar media for charge transfer processes” Phys. Usp. 55 1192–1213 (2012)
S.V. Bulanov, Ja.J. Wilkens et al “Laser ion acceleration for hadron therapy” Phys. Usp. 57 1149–1179 (2014)
O.V. Misochko “Nonclassical states of lattice excitations: squeezed and entangled phonons” Phys. Usp. 56 868–882 (2013)
A.I. Zhmakin “Physical aspects of cryobiology” Phys. Usp. 51 231–252 (2008)
I.K. Kamilov, Kh.K. Aliev “Second-order phase transitions in ferromagnetic materials in weak fields near the Curie point” Sov. Phys. Usp. 26 696–712 (1983)
K.A. Valiev, E.N. Ivanov “Rotational Brownian motion” Sov. Phys. Usp. 16 1–16 (1973)
O.V. Maslennikov, V.I. Nekorkin “Adaptive dynamical networks” Phys. Usp. 60 694–704 (2017)
Yu.M. Romanovsky, V.P. Trifonenkov “Energetics and stochastic dynamics of intraneuron transport” Phys. Usp. 59 121–140 (2016)
V.V. Klinshov, V.I. Nekorkin “Synchronization of delay-coupled oscillator networks” Phys. Usp. 56 1217–1229 (2013)
A.Z. Dolginov “Origin of the magnetic fields of the earth and celestial bodies” Sov. Phys. Usp. 30 475–493 (1987)
B.N. Belintsev “Dissipative structures and the problem of biological pattern formation” Sov. Phys. Usp. 26 775–800 (1983)

The list is formed automatically.